Post by kballard on Feb 16, 2012 19:21:43 GMT -5

I rarely start threads, but since this is my 100th!!! I thought I'd start one. I love those moments in life when every single thing is right in the world. I have lots of those at Bonnaroo and that's what keeps me coming back year after year to that dirty hot farm in Tennessee. Aside from the birth of my children and my wedding, last year at MMJ was the most perfect moment in time for me. My favorite band at my favorite place on Earth playing my favorite song: When Jacket came on and started playing Victory Dance, I just looked around at all the happy people having such a great time, I just thought to myself "This is what life is about! This is freaking perfect!" I work my butt off all year to make this happen, and it's just perfect when it all comes together and the world is right, even for one little moment in time.What was your most perfect moment in Bonnaroo time?

Post by LawnGnome on Feb 16, 2012 19:44:50 GMT -5

I've had a lot of those moments at Bonnaroo. I've been going to the festival since I was 18 (I'm 26 now). Bonnaroo went, in my mind, from this huge weekend-long party to a chance to see tons of great music with my old high school friends (who first went with me to the festival). I don't get to see those people much anymore, and, even when I do, I don't get to see everyone in the old crew at the same time, with the exception of Bonnaroo. My perfect 'Roo moments of late have been enjoying the company of old friends I don't get to see that much, realizing that even if you don't stay in touch with folks as much as you'd like to, friendships are durable and people stay with you, long after the music fades.

Sorry for the rambling, sentimental response, but that's Bonnaroo's enduring legacy for my life.

Post by ldewitt on Feb 16, 2012 19:45:04 GMT -5

I get that same feeling quite a bit at festivals. 2 different times really stick out the 1st was in 2008 when Pearl Jam opened with Hard to Imagine and I had my two cousin standing next to me that was def a perfect moment in time. The second wasnt at Bonnaroo but at Hangout last year when Paul Simon was playing Sound of Silence and I had my toes in the sand, that was a pretty amazing feeling.

Post by purplefuzzystuff on Feb 16, 2012 20:07:24 GMT -5

I've had many over the years, the one that stands out the most is in 2006 (I think) I was watching Matisyahu on the Lunar stage and I was right up front, he went into this beautiful melody I had never heard before and at the same time this nice cool breeze went over the whole crowd. It was beautiful

Another time was in 2010 during Langhorne Slim, I've got to say in 2010 I had heard maybe, two or three songs from Langhorne Slim but I found myself right towards the front for his show and he played "Diamonds and Gold" this was the first time hearing it and it was just so moving. I remember when the song ended there was this silence...I have never heard a silence like that at roo before, I'm sure it only lasted a second or two but it felt like forever. All around me I could hear sniffling and people were wiping their eyes. I felt like everyone in that audience was so vulnerable, just for a minute we were all the same.It was magical.

Post by HeavierThings on Feb 16, 2012 20:36:21 GMT -5

This a wonderful thread idea.

Mine has to be last year. Standing in the second row of the pit for Ray LaMontagne. First song, when just it's just Ray on stage with his guitar. The sun is just starting to set, so there's these beautiful rays of light falling everywhere. The crowd goes quiet just as Ray starts to strum a chord and everything lands on me, "This is what music is all about."

Post by Pops on Feb 16, 2012 20:57:34 GMT -5

Last year, with my wife and three young boys standing on bleachers and jumping up and down with 50,000 of our closest friends to Mumford and Sons, then sitting down and looking at the awe on the faces of all three of my boys during an 8 minute Amazing Grace hoedown. I hope my boys never forget that moment - I certainly won't.

Post by dreamingtree on Feb 16, 2012 22:11:10 GMT -5

I had one of those moments during Phish 2009 on Friday night. My friends had gone back to camp, I was alone and I looked around during 2001 and there was a guy near me, who was maybe in his early 20s, with tears streaming down his face, but a huge smile on his face. This is why I love live music, it can move you so much, and really nothing can describe that feeling.

Post by mayonaise on Feb 16, 2012 22:53:18 GMT -5

I have a couple. 2009: Pearl Jam: Better Man. It's not even my favorite song by them (Porch) but Eddie did that bit where he sings the first syllable of a line, then backs off the mike, and the crowd sings... and it really felt like EVERYONE at Roo was singing along. "She dreams in color, she dreams in red, can't find a better man." I was having a poop year in '09. And that song was just... Epic. So amazing. 2011: Arcade Fire: Haiti. At this point, I'd seen AF twice. Both times I was in arm's length reach of the front row. Both times the energy was so intense, that tears were streaming down the faces me and of people around me for every single song while they screamed the lyrics out. At this show though, I was about halfway back in the crowd, with my sister and brother, and my sweet sweet Rooster friends JHo and Pepper. JHo and I were standing and singing and dancing along... Regine was spinning around on the stage, and it was like I may as well have been down there in the front. But it was beautiful - because I wasnt in the front; I was with the people I loved, listening to the band I loved, in my most favorite place in the world. This is why I continue to go to Roo.

Post by bisontrax on Feb 17, 2012 12:15:27 GMT -5

I LOVE THIS THREAD... sunday evening at explosions in the sky I had made friends with a couple of dudes from jersey, my first roo friends, we were all sitting on a blanket in the dust. the sun started going down and this hush settled over us

this shirtless guy was dancing in the middle of a huge circle of people, just crazy, tribal, soulful dancing, pounding his chest and the dirt and crying and holding his hands up in thanks, most powerful thing I've ever seen

i saw this and i looked around at everyone and our new friends and started crying, one dude was like all weirded out "why are you crying?"

i said "because it's all so perfect"

he was like "yeah... i guess you're right" in this awed tone

nobody said another word for the rest of the show and i knew then and there i would never miss another bonnaroo as long as it lived

Post by popsicle sarah on Feb 17, 2012 13:05:49 GMT -5

Great thread!

I have at least one of these moments at every festival. I'll share one from each of my Bonnaroos.

2007 - It took awhile for a "moment" to happen as this was my first festival and we were extremely under-prepared. We ended up meeting this amazing group of folks from West Virginia who took us in. We all went to the WSP show Sunday night. It was my first Panic show. I was very overwhelmed by the amount of people there at first. I got lost in the music and dancing for what seemed like hours. Suddenly I stopped. I looked around and in every direction I saw happiness: smiles, moving bodies, hands in the air. It was the perfect moment and that very instant I knew I was coming back.

2008 - I didn't know anyone who was going, but I was determined to go even if it meant going alone. I found a couple of guys that needed a ride from the airport and we made a small group. Strangers that turned into friends, that's what Bonnaroo is all about. My moment came early at this festival. The first show we went to was MGMT on Thursday. It took awhile to get in to Centeroo, but as soon as we walked up to the tent I instantly got that same feeling I had at WSP the year before. This Bonnaroo was full of these moments for me: my first Inforoo Brunch, seeing Tegan & Sara by myself, seeing Tegan & Sara come out during Tiesto... there are so many.

2009 - I was really, really sick during this Bonnaroo. It came down with a vicious cold on Wednesday and that really put a damper on my whole weekend. I can't say there was a single "moment" at this festival, but just an overall feeling that I was loved by many people. I formed a large group consisting of old college friends, my new bonna-friends from the year before, and all their friends. We had about 20 people. This was our first massive tent-only compound.

2010 - The brunch of this Bonnaroo was very special for me. It's where I met Mike D (though we didn't really hang out until several weeks later). People recognized me as the Do No Harm chick. I had several great conversations, including one with Matt Sloan. This Bonnaroo had a more social aspect to it which is what I remember more than the music. The LCD show stands out to me as the best music moment.

2011 - My first VIP was amazing. Camp Disco-roo VIP was indescribable. There is one moment... one show that still makes me tear up. I walked up to the Hill to meet my best friend, Teri, and Bunny. It was the My Morning Jacket show and they'd saved me a seat. As I sat down next to them right before the show started, Teri held out a closed hand and said that her and Bunny had something for me. (My first thought was that it was something that we don't talk about here. ) It was one of the Bonnaroo necklaces that I'd talked about wanting. I was so overwhelmed at that moment. They spoke kind words and the tears came. The tears continued through the whole show. MMJ is my favorite band on the planet (you don't say ). And as soon as Mike arrived, I was at that show with my favorite people on the planet.

Post by mc on Feb 17, 2012 13:16:36 GMT -5

That moment for me last year was definitely when My Morning Jacket played Steam Engine last year.

2010 it was probably either the National's brutally hot and sweaty Which set, or groovin' with my friends to some mediocre dubstep at the Lunar Stage at 4 am. It wasn't a great DJ set but we were all having an amazing time.

2009 was similar to your first roo, sarah. It took awhile for my to really get into the groove of the festival. I had a great time walking around and people watching, but until Saturday night at Yeasayer for me to really have my mind blown. That set got me hooked on roo. Then Phish sunday night sent it allll home.

Post by pondo ROCKS on Feb 17, 2012 13:20:26 GMT -5

2008: Waiting to see Robert Randolph and The Family Band and The Lee Boys came on. Started listening to their set and I had a sort-of religious experience. The lead singer looked at me (I was on the rail wearing my horns so it was not hard) and he asked "Has He been good to ya? Has He blessed you today?" and in that moment, something changed. I felt this power, this energy just pour through me. I kept that feeling for months after Bonnaroo. Work, stress, nothing seemed to get me down...all from that one show!

I still have their set on CD and when I am feeling down, I listen to it and I have glimpses of that moment again. I am hoping for a similar experience again at some point and I would love for it to be on the farm.

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Post by CMPMGCTRCKS on Feb 17, 2012 13:28:38 GMT -5

Last year, I was waiting for Pretty Lights to start while the rest of my crew was at Lil' Wayne, which just isn't my cup of tea. As I was waiting, a guy who was 'Rooing solo came over near me and we got to chatting. His name was Amon, mine's Adam, we clicked. Chatted about life, festivals, and the universe while waiting for the show to start. My friends came and joined us when Wayne was done, quick introductions all around, and we all enjoyed the whole show together and walked back to camp when the sun came up, sharing some relaxing herbal supplements!

I love just being in a place where it's perfectly acceptable to strike up a conversation with a complete stranger and suddenly have a new friend!

Post by chill on Feb 17, 2012 17:01:34 GMT -5

Great thread! So psyched for the ticket purchase tomorrow!!

My perfect moment in time came at my first Roo in '10. I also was a little overwhelmed (but loving it) by the massiveness of it all. Then Sat. night standing in that big field surrounded by 50K people when Stevie Wonder breaks into Superstition. Felt like the most intimate moment of my life.I knew at that moment I would never miss another Roo.

My perfect '11 moment was Sunday evening. (Sorry it's kinda long)The group Apache Relay was set to play as the closing act on the little lounge stage. I thought it was going to be a pretty tough time slot for them to get much exposure.I had started listening to these guys about 6 months before and absolutely loved them. When they came to my town in Ohio in April to play a tiny gig, I brought them some local hamburgers that they had posted on FB that they loved. They are great musicians who are busting their butts to make it.

So come Sunday night, I've got my spot on a picnic table ready for their set. Maybe 50 people ready to watch. They start the set -with the incredible energy that they always have. Then the perfect storm set in...Strokes & Explosions in the Sky let out and all of a sudden there was this HUGE crowd watching them kill it! When it was over, I ran around behind the stage to say Hi and Michael Ford-the lead singer- grabbed me and gave me a huge sweaty hug. He says "man- I was so nervous and then I looked out and saw you on that picnic table singing my lyrics back to me and I just went crazy."

Made me realize for ever that music really is a two way street between artist and the crowd and nowhere more so than Bonnaroo!!

Post by Howard Stern on Feb 19, 2012 12:09:54 GMT -5

2011- after pretty lights ended my brain was still scrambled from the show and the corn so i was trying to make it back to camp and score some herbal supplement to relax with because i was still so wound up and needed some sleep. I ended up very very lost somewhere around POD 11 (i was in pod 1 camp odd job) and kinda freaking out because i couldn't figure out much of anything like who i was, where i was, where i was going..until an older couple stopped me because i guess i had a puzzled look on my face and offered me some herbs and cooked me up a breakfast burrito at 4:30am THEN paid for me a taxi back to my camp. i finally found the couple sunday night and invited them to eat some dinner i was about to grill for being so nice. That moment made me realize what 'roo is about.

Post by bonnaroodavid on Feb 19, 2012 12:22:33 GMT -5

I have so many great moments. One of my favorite is seeing Levon Helm in 2008. I was pretty far away but will never forget the gigantic smile on his face during his set. This music icon having the time of his life. Also in 08 bouncing around between that epic MMJ set and waiting for superjam and then the rain!

Post by Whoreshack on Feb 19, 2012 13:41:29 GMT -5

Every year, at dusk, on Thursday night I have a Roo-epiphany walking between stages in Centeroo for the first time again. It's like that moment when the music and my mind are just start to get revved-up.

Post by chrishickie on Feb 19, 2012 17:23:35 GMT -5

Would have to say mine was in 2003 when Warren Haynes opened up on Sunday morning at noon. Had never really listened to him play prior to Bonnaroo but he was the first thing going and I wander into Centeroo and just heard him playing and started listening. It was an acoustic set that he played (the one that is released as a CD) and just the great overall weekend and listening to him belt out "One" by U2 with this random girl sitting beside me on the outskirts of the crowd. We got to talking and spent the entire day together and dated for 4 of the best years of my life. Great moment in time for me!